Oswestry
is an ancient market town located in the North of Shropshire close by
the English - Welsh Border. Its strategic position as a 'frontier town'
has given it a turbulent history. Today the town still retains its vital
function as a market and shopping centre serving North West Shropshire
and Mid Wales. The narrow passageways link streets whose names conjure
up images of the past: English Walls, Welsh Walls, The Bailey and the
Horsemarket. It is a locally important shopping and agricultural centre
and still retains the intimacy of a rural town serving local people and
home to a number of specialist and independent shops.

The origins of the town are uncertain although the towns market dates
back to 1190. The name Oswestry is thought to be a corruption of
'Oswald's Tree' and the legend that Oswald the Christian King of
Northumbria fought a great battle against the pagan King of Mercia -
Penda. Oswald was defeated and killed in the battle. Penda - as a
warning to others who might challenge his rule - dismembered Oswald's
body and hung his limbs on the branches of a tree - hence the name 'Oswalds
Tree'.

Oswestry's first school founded in 1407 is now a Heritage centre and
holds regular exhibitions of local arts and crafts. The town Tourist
Information Centre can be found in the same building.

Most of the town centre has been designated a Conservation Area
conveying a mixture of architectural styles. There are many old timber
framed houses, for example Llywd Mansion on Cross Street, the Heritage
Centre, the Blackgate, the Fox Inn and the shops along Beatrice Street.
Georgian architecture is also represented particularly around St
Oswald's Church where there are a number of imposing town houses
complete with grand entrance staircases and front doors.

It has a significant Victorian legacy. Many of the Shop fronts and
facades, the many terraced houses and churches and railway buildings
reflect this period.

Oswestry, has a troubled past and was once encircled by town walls which
is shown on the medieval street plan of a walled town. The Oswestry Town
Trail leaflet is available from the Heritage Centre and the Tourist
Information Centre at Mile End and can be used to tour the town's many
sites of historical interest for example: St Oswald's Church. Cae Glas
Park, the town's old gates and Castle Bank are just a few of the places
of interest.

History and Town Records

Few records survive from before 1674, the year of the charter granted to
the Town by King Charles II, some deeds, charters, accounts and
memoranda of the Bailiffs do exist but little else.

From 1674 to 1835 records are plentiful, consisting of minutes of the
Council, accounts of the Mayor, proceedings of the Quarter Sessions and
Court of Record, and correspondence and papers relating to the business
of the Guildhall, the gaol, markets and fairs, and other matters of
Local Interest.

Post 1835 Oswestry saw was a period of great development. In the late
1840’s new Markets were built in the late 1840's and the construction
of reservoirs followed from the late 1860's to the late 1880's. The
events were well recorded in the minutes of the Council and its
committees and numerous bundles of deeds and documents on all and
sometimes trivial aspects of the administration of Town affairs.

The Castle

Dating to around 1086, the castle L’oeuvre was recorded in William I’s
Domesday Book as being built by Rainald, Sheriff of Shropshire in the
Hundred of Meresberie, it was once a frontier outpost that saw both
Welsh and Anglo Saxon mix together prior to the Norman conquest.

The earliest reference to the town was recorded 1272 and the settlement
of Blancminster, which derives from its white stone church. The Welsh
refer to a ‘Creos Oswallt’ in 1254, and an obvious link with St.
Oswald, the Northumbrian King who was killed at the nearby Battle of
Maeserfelth in 641 AD. Regardless, it is generally accepted that
Oswestry was once a strong Welsh settlement and the Castle had a role of
domination to subdue Welsh resistance.

Following the conquest, the region was granted to Roger de Montgomerie
by William I. This passed to Rainald who is attributed as having built
the first castle. Then came Alan Fitzlaad, descendant to the mighty
Fitzalans and later to become the Lords of Arundel and Clun.

The Civil War between Stephen and Matilda saw William Fitzalan I join
forces with Matilda and he was forced to give up the castle and its
area. The Welsh appear to have taken this chance to reclaim what they
once lost and the occupation of the castle by Madoc ap Maerdudd the
Prince of Powys, between 1149 and 1157, along with the Lordship of the
area followed.

The accession of Henry II saw the Fitzalan’s recover their estate, but
they failed to establish a peaceful reign and troubled times followed.
There was significant conflict between the Welsh and the English, which
saw the area and its castle sacked numerous times. In 1165, Henry II
adopted it as a base for his campaign against Owain Gwynned and in 1211,
it was used by King John in his war against Llewlyn Fawr.

By 1270 the castle’s walls embraced the town. In the 14th Century one
Owain Glyndwr attempted to establish himself as the rightful Prince of
Wales and throughout this period the town became recognised as a
strategic trading point. For example, the Short Charter granted by
William III at the end of the 12th Century awarded the area similar
customs and liberties as the larger and already prosperous Shrewsbury.

A second charter in 1263 followed and in 1399 it received a Royal
Charter. Despite this, it remained a fully fortified military base and
this function continued for many years.

The outbreak of the Civil War in 1642 revived its status as a military
stronghold and it was once more strengthened to some degree, following
the town’s declaration of support for Charles I, and prepared for
hostility. In June 1644 the castle was under the control of Colonel
Edward Lloyd of Llanforda. It was laid to siege by Thomas Mytton of
Halston Hall (near Whittington) who was soon joined by the earl of
Denbigh. The town gates were battered into submission by cannon and
infiltrated by troops who rapidly descended upon the castle,
surrounding. The following day, ‘Buttars,’ a kind of early grenade,
were used to storm the gates and the royalist troops surrendered.

Following the Civil War, Oswestry Castle were rendered uninhabitable as
part of a campaign to quash further resistance and it was reduced to a
simple collection of stones.

Other Places of Interest

The Old Grammer School

A 15th Century, Grade II listed
timber-framed property. Originally the Oswestry Grammar School, founded
by David Holbache in 1407, the building occupies a prominent position on
the boundary of the churchyard of St. Oswald. Now the property of
Oswestry Town Council and opened in 1992, the Centre contains civic and
local items of interest reflecting the long established and magnificent
Heritage of Oswestry.

Iron Age Fort

There is a large Iron Age fort
just to the North of the town. It was started over 2500 years ago.
Nowadays, only the Earthworks remain, but it's worth a visit. It can be
seen from the A5 going North out of the town. It is maintained by
English Heritage

Racecourse Common

This is at the top of a hill and
is the site of an old racecourse. It is possible to walk around the old
circuit and there are a number of walks is this area including some
through the adjacent Candy Woods. The Offa's dyke path passes through
the common and the woods.

Offa's Dyke footpath (goes right through the area)

This long distance footpath ,
which goes from Prestatyn to Chepstow along the Welsh border, passes
about 3 miles to the west of Oswestry. It is a well maintained footpath
(some other paths in the area are not so good) and can be picked up at
many points in the area. The path follows an ancient earthwork which is
thought to have been a defensive dyke built by the Saxon King Offa .